Max Verstappen has reiterated his commitment and future to Red Bull, but with a cautious caveat: only “unless strange things happen.”
The reigning four-time world champion is under contract with Red Bull through the end of the 2028 Formula 1 season.
However, with the team’s early-season struggles in 2025 and a growing threat from McLaren, Verstappen admits that future decisions will depend heavily on how the next phase of the campaign unfolds.
Speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Verstappen reaffirmed his loyalty to the team that brought him to F1 superstardom.
“I did always say that to the team,” Verstappen said. “That’s the intention, unless strange things happen. But that [a departure] is not my intention at the moment.”
Having made his F1 debut in 2015 with Toro Rosso, Verstappen was promoted to Red Bull the following season and won his very first race with the senior squad.
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Since then, he has amassed 63 career wins and four consecutive world championships between 2021 and 2024.
But in 2025, things have taken a different turn. McLaren has emerged as the team to beat, and Red Bull has found itself playing catch-up with a car that has lacked the race pace needed to fight consistently at the front.
Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have both claimed victories, while Verstappen has found himself off the podium more often than expected.
Verstappen waiting to see Red Bull’s response
Despite the dip in form, Verstappen maintains that a switch to another team isn’t part of his current thinking. But he made it clear that Red Bull must show progress to retain his full confidence heading into F1’s next era.
“First I want to see how the rest of the season – or at least part of it – goes,” Verstappen explained. “That big, decent steps can be made by the team.
“The next few races are very important. Yes, also for my future. Then I’m not even necessarily just talking about next year, but in general. I think everyone in the team realises that too.”
While Verstappen has been linked with a sensational move to Mercedes or even a reunion with Adrian Newey at Aston Martin, he made clear that any changes are far from imminent.
He also took the opportunity to address speculation that he may be planning to step away from Formula 1 altogether, dismissing any suggestion of an early sabbatical.
“There is no question of that, my intention is to last in Formula 1 at least through 2028,” Verstappen said.
Although frustrated with recent results, including a fourth-place finish in Miami, Verstappen remains motivated.
“Obviously I don’t like everything in this environment, but I do like working with the people around me and the racing itself,” Verstappen said. “Although a fourth place like in Miami is not what I’m doing it for. But it’s always better than finishing last.”
Red Bull hopes that a new upgrade package brought to Imola can offer Verstappen the performance boost he needs to get back on top — and keep their star driver firmly in their camp.
Will Max Verstappen leave Red Bull before 2028?
Max Verstappen says he intends to stay at Red Bull until 2028 unless “strange things happen,” suggesting performance could influence that.
Is Verstappen considering a sabbatical from Formula 1?
No, Verstappen has confirmed he has no plans to take a break and expects to continue in Formula 1 at least through the end of 2028.
What did Verstappen say about Red Bull’s future?
Verstappen said the next few races are “very important” and that the team must show “decent steps” forward for him to feel secure about the future.
